Rocky Mountain Penstemon

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Rocky Mountain Penstemon: At 24” tall x 30” wide at maturity, a native of the foothills and mountains of the southern Rockies, this plant grows easily over a wide range of the western U.S. The tall showy spikes of blue flowers last for over a month in late spring and on into summer. Long-lived and easily grown, this Penstemon thrives in any well-drained soil with full sun. Advantages: Drought tolerant, attracts hummingbirds, bee friendly, rabbit resistant, evergreen. Russian Sage: Russian Sage is a vigorous, well-shaped grower with attractive dark-blue flower spikes. Taking the gardening world by storm, it rose from obscurity to enormous popularity in the past decade. Prospering in zones from 4 to 9, plant any time during spring, summer or fall. Russian Sage will grow 3’ tall by 3’ wide in full sun. Russian Sage’s enor mous popularity is no doubt due to its ability to thrive in dry, tough conditions. It blooms all summer and grows successfully in any soil, from clay to sand, as well as salty and highly alkaline ones. And if that weren’t reason enough to plant it, it is extremely resistant to browsing deer, rabbits, elk and bees love it! Russian Sage is a low care plant that looks its best when cut back hard (leaving 6to 12” of stem above ground) in mid-spring. This keeps the plant more compact and encourages more vigorous blooming. This shrub has a tendency to spread by suckering, so it’s advisable to dig up the suckers in early spring to keep the plant within bounds.

Transcript of Rocky Mountain Penstemon

Rocky Mountain Penstemon:

At 24” tall x 30” wide at maturity, a native of the foothills and mountains of the southern Rockies, this

plant grows easily over a wide range of the western U.S. The tall showy spikes of blue flowers last

for over a month in late spring and on into summer. Long-lived and easily grown, this Penstemon

thrives in any well-drained soil with full sun. Advantages: Drought tolerant, attracts hummingbirds,

bee friendly, rabbit resistant, evergreen.

Russian Sage:

Russian Sage is a vigorous, well-shaped grower with

attractive dark-blue flower spikes. Taking the

gardening world by storm, it rose from obscurity to

enormous popularity in the past decade. Prospering

in zones from 4 to 9, plant any time during spring,

summer or fall. Russian Sage will grow 3’ tall by 3’

wide in full sun. Russian Sage’s enormous popularity

is no doubt due to its ability to thrive in dry, tough

conditions. It blooms all summer and grows

successfully in any soil, from clay to sand, as well as

salty and highly alkaline ones. And if that weren’t

reason enough to plant it, it is extremely resistant to

browsing deer, rabbits, elk and bees love it!

Russian Sage is a low care plant that looks its best

when cut back hard (leaving 6” to 12” of stem above ground) in mid-spring. This keeps the plant

more compact and encourages more vigorous blooming. This shrub has a tendency to spread by

suckering, so it’s advisable to dig up the suckers in early spring to keep the plant within bounds.

Yarrow: Gold, White, Pink and Paprika

Yarrow is a beautiful perennial, easily grown and suited to many climates and soil types. With

feathery foliage and long-blooming flowers, it attracts bees and butterflies to the garden. 18” tall x

24” wide, it keeps flowering all summer. Only requires deep but infrequent watering after their

second growing season. Too much water makes them floppy. Plant in full, hot sun. Cut plants back

in spring and deadhead throughout summer to keep blooms coming.

Advantages: Drought resistant, deer and rabbit resistant, makes excellent cut or dried flower

arrangements and looks great planted in containers.

Shasta Daisy:

Shasta Daisies create cheerful, pure-white

color in the garden . They will prosper in clay,

sandy, or loamy soils in moist, well-draining

gardens. Growing into beautiful 16”-24” tall

bouquets, they can be planted in half shade to

full sun. Supplemental water is welcome if less

than an inch of rain in two weeks during very

hot, dry periods.

Continue planting Shasta daisies yearly for a

more abundant display. Staggered yearly

plantings ensure that your plants will continue

to colonize. An easy-to-grow perennial, they will

come back year after year in the spring. Dead-

head to keep blooms coming and divide clumps

every 3-4 years in early spring.

Gaura (Lindheimer):

Gaura lindheimeri, commonly called gaura, is a

clump-forming perennial that is native to Texas

and Louisiana. It grows to as much as 4' tall

with pinkish buds along wand-like stems.

Blossoms open with white flowers which slowly

fade to pink.

Best grown in sandy, loamy, well-drained soils

in full sun. Good drainage is essential as root

rot may occur in soggy soils. A taprooted plant

which tolerates heat and some drought.

Remove spent flower spikes to prolong bloom

period. Thin flower stems tend to become leggy

and flop, particularly when grown in rich soils, and plants can

benefit from close planting or support from adjacent perennials.

Plants may be cut back in late spring by 1/2 to control size. May

self-seed if spent flower stems are left in place in the fall. This

plant has no serious insect or disease problems. It is effective in

sunny borders, in groups, and may be grown in containers.

Day Lilies:

Daylilies are hard to kill, which makes

them popular with beginning gardeners

and old hands alike! While there are 'best

practices' to follow when caring for

Daylilies, it takes a lot of effort to do wrong

by these vigorous and productive flowers.

You can move them when you want,

forget to feed and water, and site them

incorrectly without risking total failure. But

if you follow the instructions below, you

should have the best-looking Daylilies on

the block!

Daylilies do best where they will receive

six or more hours of sun each day. While

they will tolerate partial shade, you should

expect fewer flowers.

Daylilies thrive in good garden soil so we

need to amend our thin soil with compost

mulch (see planting guide). Water them

regularly during the first season. Established

plants only need watering during very dry

conditions (June/hot/no rain). To keep your

day lilies blooming “daily” deadhead spent

blooms. Throughout the season, remove any

yellowing leaves. This will stimulate the plant to

produce new leaves, which is important for re-

blooming varieties.

Daylilies will eventually expand to form large

clumps up to three feet in diameter. So, by

spacing your new plants two feet or more apart

initially, you can avoid having to dig and move

them as they grow in. However, if you want

added impact in the early years, space your new

plants about 18” apart. Then after a few years

you can move some of the plants outwards.

Available in a rainbow of colors, shapes and sizes, daylilies bloom from early spring until frost,

depending on the variety chosen. Some are cold-hardy; some not, so be careful when making your

choice. With lively foliage and flowers in a rainbow of colors, Daylilies show their beautiful blooms

from spring, through summer, and with a grand finale of flowers just before fall.

Hostas:

There is no better way to brighten up a shady spot than

by planting hostas. Although the plants bear tall spikes of

white or lavender flowers in midsummer, hostas are

planted primarily for the season-long show of their

striking foliage. Few perennials are truly carefree, but

hostas come close. They never need dividing. Once

established, they shade the ground so thoroughly that

they reliably crowd out most weeds. Hostas are not fussy

about soils, and many cultivars even do quite well with

considerable sun.

Hosta leaves come in a broad range of solid colors, from

blue-gray to deep green to light green or gold. Blue

hostas often have a soft, waxy bloom (a powdery-looking coating on the leaves, also found on

grapes), especially early in the season. Some green varieties have very shiny leaves; others have a

matte appearance. Variegation can be white, cream, or yellow and can occur on the edges of the

leaves, in the centers, or streaked throughout the leaf. The most common leaf shape is heart-like,

but some cultivars have narrow, pointed leaves. The largest hostas are 3-4 feet tall; the smallest are

under 8 inches. Mix all these factors together and you get an idea of why plant breeders are having

such fun with this group of plants.

Hostas are among the most adaptable perennials. They do well from USDA Zone 3(-40°F minimum)

southward as far as zone 9 (20°F minimum). Hostas do need a period of cold weather. Insufficient

winter chill and dry air are the chief limiting factors.

In the garden, one-third shade is ideal. If soil moisture is ample,

most hostas can take direct sun, especially in cooler climates and

at the northern limit of their range. Gold varieties must have some

direct sun for their full color to develop; in shade they become

chartreuse. Blue varieties develop best color in shade. When

hostas get too much sun or not enough water, the leaf edges

become papery and brown.

A little extra TLC will get new hosta plantings off to a strong start.

Be sure to water the plants during dry spells, especially during their

first growing season. Apply a 2-inch-thick mulch of compost or leaf

mold each year to provide nutrients. Hostas growing in the shade

of large trees may need supplemental water to help them compete

with the tree roots.

The only major pests of hostas are slugs, which thrive in the moist, cool, shady areas that hostas

love. Controls include handpicking, traps, and deterrents like a layer of diatomaceous earth or

crushed eggshells spread underneath the plants. Unlike many perennials, hostas do not need

regular dividing to keep them growing strong. Established hosta plantings have been in place for 30

years and longer with no need for dividing. Source: The National Garden Assoc.

Salvia:

What’s your favorite color? That’s what color salvias come in!

Salvia greggii is the most commonly grown of the woody

salvias. This amazing plant, native to both Mexico and the US,

thrives under a wide range of conditions. The

flower color of the species ranges from white to

red to purple. In warm climates, Salvia greggii

flowers best in spring, slows in summer, then

puts on another superb show in fall.

While many selections of Salvia greggii are only

hardy in Zone 7, others can tolerate Zone 5 (-15

degrees F) temperatures. When making your

selection, read the plant tag and make sure they

will survive our Zone 6 winters.

Salvia greggii prefers sunny, well drained sites and are intolerant

of poorly drained soils. Usually growing to a 3’ x 3’ clump, you can

prune them back in the spring or summer, or let them grow to a

more natural form.

Sweet Potato Vine:

A vigorous, trailing, mounded growth habit, Sweet Potato Vine fits

in the Thriller, Filler and Spiller container category. Usually

available with dark purple foliage, the leaves provide an interesting

contrast to companion plants. In hanging baskets, it pairs well with

petunias, verbena and Cali (it trails up to 24”) in part sun. Hardy to

only 20 degrees F, it is best grown as an annual in window boxes

and hanging baskets.

Calibrachoa:

Right along with Sweet Potato Vine, Calibrachoa (“Cali”) fills

in planters and hanging baskets with a dizzying array of

colors—from magenta to white and everything in

between. Their blooms resemble tiny petunia

flowers from spring well into fall if given good sun,

enough water and food. Quite drought tolerant, but

to get the best blooms, don’t let them dry out

repeatedly.

Soil Preparation: Remember that proper soil preparation is the key to healthy, vigorous blooming

perennials, especially in the thin, organically-starved soil we have in Pinetop. Whatever you plant,

do this:

- Remove the cinders. You can relocate them somewhere else around your property.

- Dig a hole at least twice as wide as your plant and pile the dirt in a container. Those big, black flat

plastic rectangular boxes work great. But you can use anything. You can even just mix it in the hole.

- Mix half and half with a good compost mulch. Christopher’s sells a product called mushroom

compost mulch that will provide the organic material lacking in our native soil.

Planting:

- When to plant: Local nursery stock begins to appear in May, but it can still be very cool for new

plantings. By the end of May, weather is warming and getting your plants in the ground early allows

time for their roots to get established before the growing season comes to a close in October. At

lower elevations, the recommended planting time for larger shrubs and trees is fall because the

summer heat makes it very difficult for plants to get established. In Pinetop, the summer

temperatures don’t create a problem, BUT, all new plants require water and until the monsoon hits

in July, new plants must be frequently (and for trees, deeply) watered.

- Where to plant: With very few exceptions, all plants love and need sunlight for survival. A plant

growing in too much shade becomes long and spindly and will not bloom as much or as frequently.

Read the labels on your new plants and keep in mind that most plants do well with a minimum of six

hours sunlight every day. Last, when deciding where to locate your new treasure, read the label and

see what their mature size will be, then find the best location where it won’t be crowded when it

reaches its full size.

- Loosen the root ball: When you take your new plant out of its nursery container you will notice the

roots and dirt maintain the perfect circular shape of the pot. Not good. Take a screwdriver or old

table knife and pull the roots out and away from the center. The roots grow in a circle in a pot and if

you put the plant in the ground that way, the roots will continue to grow in a circle and can eventually

choke the plant. Try not to tear the roots, but definitely pull them out and loosen them up. Some dirt

will fall off, and some pieces of root will break off, but that’s ok. Spread the roots out in a circle and

place the plant in the hole. Fill in around the plant with your soil/compost mix. No smashing! Water

in the soil around your new plant and it will fill in the empty spaces around the roots.

- Pinch them back: It’s hard to cut the blooms off a plant you just brought home from the nursery

because of its gorgeous flowers. But to give them a head start, once they are in the ground and

watered in, cut off the flowers, maybe the top 2 inches of stem. Why would you do this? The mission

of every plant is to grow flowers so they can go to seed and make more plants. They use up a lot of

their energy and nutrients in this process, when what you really want the plant to do is use all that

energy to grow roots! Cutting them back at planting directs that energy to root growth and you will

be rewarded with a stronger plant that will bloom when its roots are able to provide the nutrients.

Watering: In the summer when it’s warm and no monsoon (late May/June), water new plantings

daily the first week, every other day the second week, and every third day the third week. By the

fourth week, you should be able to water 1-2 times a week (if no rain) through September. During

the summer keep an eye on your new landscape. Plants will wilt somewhat during the heat of the

day, but if they are upright and not limp in the mornings, they are fine. Drought tolerant plants will do

fine once established, but even they will appreciate supplemental water when it’s 85 degrees!

Trees and plants are dormant during the winter, but still need water to keep the roots alive. Trees

need special attention for their entire first year and through the second summer. A new tree needs

plenty of water, especially in our fast draining soil. They cannot be allowed to dry out until they’ve

had plenty of time to get their roots established. Give them a good soaking at planting, and keep the

soil around them moist throughout their first summer (deep soaking once a week). Cooler temps,

rain and snow should keep them stable over the winter. The second summer starting in the spring,

soak them deeply once a month through September. After that they should be fine, unless there are

extended drought conditions.

Fertilizer: New plants should not need fertilizer. A month after planting, you can give them a

feeding. Miracle Gro is a popular product, and the fish emulsion fertilizer sold at Ace, HD and

nurseries is an organic variety. Once a month in the summer will keep your plants happy, but hold

off in the fall. Fertilizer spurs new growth which will then freeze when the weather turns cold.

Container Planting: Whiskey barrels, terra cotta pots,

decorative containers and hanging baskets all help fill in

the bare spaces around our homes. It doesn’t really

matter what you put in your pot, but here is one

suggestion from the landscape people: “Thriller, Filler

and Spiller.” What does it mean? Thrillers are the big,

bold focal point of your container plant design. This plant

provides an eye-catching vertical element. Tall

ornamental grasses or spiky blooming plants such as bi-

color iris are examples. Fillers are mid-size rounded

plants that surround and enhance the thriller and fill the

space in the planter. You can use just about anything,

but some ideas include petunias, verbena, salvia,

calibrachoa (“cali” for short) and geraniums. Spillers are

plants that cascade and tumble over the sides of the

container such as sweet potato vine, trailing lobelia,

nasturtium or vinca. Spillers should be placed close to the edge of your planter so they can sprawl

over the side of the container, softening its edges and falling toward the ground.

Options: There are many more plants you can grow here in Pinetop. These are a few ideas. When

I asked the local nurseries if they had a plant list we could use, both In Bloom Nursery and

Christopher’s Garden Nursery replied, “Anything we sell will grow on the mountain.” We’ll take them

at their word!

Extended Plant List:

An excellent on-line information source is High Country Gardens located in Santa Fe, NM:

https://www.highcountrygardens.com/

The Intermountain West – White Mountains – USDA Zone 6

Much of our soil lacks organic matter.

At 7,200 feet, the sun is intense, the air has very low humidity (except during the monsoon), and summer highs range in the low 90°s.

Winters are cold The range of minimum average temperatures for Zone 6 is between -10F and zero degrees Fahrenheit. When making plant choices, read the labels and make sure the plant will tolerate year-round conditions in our area.